Studying, Working and Living in the UK: What Are Your Options and the Requirements?

Your journey to the UK begins with understanding the options available to you. From university admission to work and residence opportunities, this guide from ElWijha brings together the essential information to help you organise your plans and understand what you need before applying.

Entry requirements vary according to your nationality and the purpose and length of your stay. Check which visa suits your circumstances before preparing your application.

For a visit, you may need a Standard Visitor visa, an electronic travel authorisation ETA, or qualify for an exemption depending on your circumstances. An ETA does not guarantee entry or give you the right to work or settle in the UK.

A standard visit generally allows a stay of up to six months for permitted activities. It does not generally allow you to work for a UK company or be self-employed, except for specific permitted activities. You also cannot make the UK your main home through repeated visits.

Start by choosing your course and institution, then check admission requirements, fees and deadlines. For a Student visa, you generally need to:

• Be accepted onto an eligible course at an institution licensed to sponsor students and have a CAS reference number confirming your acceptance.

• Show that you have sufficient funds for your studies and living expenses, depending on your circumstances.

• Meet the English language requirement and all other conditions.

The English level generally required for the visa is B2 for degree-level study or above, and B1 for study below degree level. Your institution may require a higher level.

University and government scholarships are available, including Chevening for master’s study, subject to its requirements. Budget for tuition, accommodation, living expenses, travel, the visa and the healthcare surcharge. Distinguish your actual budget from the financial evidence required for the visa.

Some students may work up to 20 hours per week during term time on full-time degree-level courses or above, and up to 10 hours on certain courses below degree level. This depends on your institution, course and immigration conditions. Some situations do not permit work, including part-time study.

Full-time work may be permitted outside term time, subject to conditions. Self-employment and business activities are generally prohibited, with specific exceptions.

After completing an eligible course, you may qualify for a Graduate visa. You must apply from inside the UK before your Student visa expires, after your institution has informed the Home Office that you have successfully completed your studies, and meet the remaining requirements.

The visa lasts:

• Two years for applications submitted on or before 31 December 2026.

• 18 months for applications submitted on or after 1 January 2027.

• Three years for holders of a PhD or another doctoral qualification.

It cannot be extended, but you may be able to switch to another visa route if you meet its requirements.

The Skilled Worker route requires an eligible job with an approved employer, a certificate of sponsorship CoS, and compliance with salary, language and other requirements.

The usual salary requirement is £41,700 per year or the going rate for the occupation, whichever is higher, with exceptions and different rules for certain circumstances. New applicants generally need B2 English, with exemptions and transitional provisions.

The Health and Care Worker visa is available to certain eligible professionals and provides an exemption from the immigration health surcharge. However, recruitment of new care workers and senior care workers from overseas has been closed since 22 July 2025. Certain applications from within the UK remain possible under specific conditions.

For innovative businesses, the Innovator Founder route requires endorsement by an approved body and compliance with the other requirements. The Global Talent route is available to certain eligible talented individuals. Registering a company alone does not give you a right to reside in the UK.

Family visa requirements depend on the relationship and the relative’s status in the UK. The partner and children of a student or worker generally apply through the dependant route.

For students, the main eligible circumstances include government-sponsored students taking a course lasting more than six months, or full-time postgraduate students on a course lasting at least nine months. For postgraduate courses starting from January 2024, the course must be a doctorate or a research-based higher degree, subject to the remaining requirements.

For workers, restrictions apply to certain occupations, including care roles and some medium-skilled jobs, with exceptions and transitional provisions.

Having children in the UK does not automatically give parents a right to reside there. The route for an adult relative who needs long-term care has strict requirements.

Check accommodation, utility and transport costs for your chosen city. Under many immigration routes, the immigration health surcharge (IHS) provides access to National Health Service (NHS) services under the applicable rules. Some services may still involve charges.

Also check your eVisa, the electronic record of your immigration status and conditions, and update the travel document linked to your account when necessary.

Permanent residence, known as indefinite leave to remain (ILR), is not automatic. A Skilled Worker visa holder may qualify after five years counted under eligible immigration routes, subject to the remaining requirements.

Under the general naturalisation route, applicants usually need five years of residence and to have held an eligible permanent status for 12 months, alongside requirements concerning absences, language, the Life in the UK test and good character. Different rules apply to the spouse of a British citizen.

This may be possible if your institution accepts another way of proving your English and it meets the visa rules. Check the accepted method before registering for a test.

From outside the UK, you can apply up to six months before your course starts.

You may carry out activities related to your employment overseas, provided they are not the main purpose of your visit. This does not give you a general right to work in the UK.

You may need to update your Skilled Worker visa and obtain a new certificate of sponsorship. Check the requirements and obtain the necessary permission before starting your new job.